The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-11-16
Mrs. Henry Ward Bsschsrs Opinion Of
Modern Feminine Dress.
Changes More Absurd aad Unnatural
Women Under Tyranny - Ancient
Customs-The Craze for ''styls."
Copyrighted. 1857

fail to recognize little less obvious. They
90 not hesitate to say that those who are
looking after the many evils that infest
the land should give some thought to re-
form in fashion, or make some effort to
curtail its power.
Judging from the experience OF those
who hsYe attempted reformation in this
evil, 1t would be ''as the voice Of one cry
ing in the wildernees"-wasted breath,
time spent for naught. The pulpit and
the press have spoken on this subject for
years. And what has been the result2
The changes in fashion are becoming more
frequent, and certainly no less absurd and
unnatural.
Were it not for the title, a fashion maya
ne might be taken for Punch or The
Budget of Fun. Yet It is from the fashion
plates that the modiste plans her custo-
mers' dresses. Many who acknowledge
their desire for reformation in fashion,
living in glass houses dare not throw
stones themselves. Wiling that others
should make the attack, yet without the
moral courage to cast off their shackles,
ranks OF the yicto rious.
Why not con- rr@nce, good friends. with
your own pers"i.al adornmerts? Throw
aside frizZets, hich hide many beaQtt-
full brow. Bro -, the hair smoothly, coil
it gracefully ar ind, and let us once more
see the head as God made it. Lay aside,
for better uses, the yards of silk that now
sweep the street, the piles of lace and rib
bons. bustlesy puffs, and founces; and
then observe the difference between q nat
ural figure and one created byfashions- But
If we tell those who are thus fettered that
by an independent action in this matter
they can do more than the best writero of
the age could accomplish, what would be
the reply2 Something as follows:
HOh bless Hsl We w0uldn,t do anv.
thing of that sort for the world. We
should be happy to see less expensive
and more simple style of dress. II would
be refreshing and comforting, but we
could never take the initiative. Such a
course would MAKE us so conspicuous.
No one person, even by making martyr
of herself, can effect any material reform.
1t must be done by united, simultane-
Gus effort"
We have heard this reply often. We
can not but think them cowardly argu-
mems, and, pardon Is, not truthful. Had
all reformers reasoned thus, what would
now be the condition OF the civilized
world? Fashion is a tyraut, and until
women have strength of mind to defy
her and henceforth be governed by true
taste. there will be no release from her alb
surdities.
The old look upon the vagsries of
modern fashion with much reproof and
scorD. But do not many of us who be-
long to that class remember our grand.
fathers prevailing costume. 1t is well to
be perfectly honest when criticislng the
customs and habits OF Others, and we can
not truthfully say that the grandchildren
are more absurd in their style of dress
than were their grandmothers before them,
although there is this in the favor OF
ancient Mt ,S Costume, the styles were
at the present time. Every
thing new and of the latest importa-
ton as was eagerly sought after by the
young. After marriage for few years their
devotion to fashion continued uuabated,
and her laws were obeyed even when the
ripper judgment rebelled. The richly en-
broidered ''stomacher," the "farthingale, T"
"leng bodice" "high-heeled shoes" and
! endless GRAINS" all differed from and sur
passed anything of the kind that has been
| seen for many years, and this held our
| grandm others in as rigorous subsection to
fashion as their grandchildren yield to at
the present day.
For may years powdered hair was the
rDling'styl lie. Then little by little that was
| discarded and the hair, rolled tightly from
the brow, was gathered with the back hair
/ over a skeleton pillow, and there held by
long silver pins. From that,
with eurls on curls they build the hair be
And mount 1t with a formidable tower;
Bnt look behind, and then
1t dwindles to the RigRy kind
| But it was noticeable in the more ancient
times, and is greatly to the honor OF our an.
cestoIs, that when the tender olive plants
began to cluster about the home, when
''The table grew too small.
/ And the cottage wanted space.
Fashion was no longer the dominant power
and her votaries discarded their allegiance
to her more entirely than the old do now.
After forty-sometimes earlier-there was
little change in the style Of their dress,
their thoughts being conferred more on the
care of their children than on their OWL
personal adornment. AS years passed on
and their children and chiidren's children
ripened into maturity, the grandmother
even in the highest circle, while often
richly clothed. continued to have theil
garments fashioned after the same mode
they wore when first home JOYS began tC
take precedence of fashion. Unfortunate
ly sometimes their subsection ceased at
period when the fashions were singularly
deficient in good taste, but nevertheless to
the end of long lives there was no change
attempted in their attire,
There seems to be growing fondnes
for following Fashion to the very extreme
wherever she may lead. Would it not bi
wise Tor mothers to reflect little NOR
earnestly on the strength OF the tempta
tions that surround their young daugh
tiers, and completely absorbs the attention
even of their little girls2 Little girls
Where can We find them no12 See chill
dren of elk, eight, ten years dressed TO
some entertainment. Childish sports ant
amusements are quite beneath the MOTTO
of these overdressed, stylish little ladies
now demuseiy taking their places for
genteel dance-not with father, mother
sisters and brothers, q home dance full o
fun ard frolic and childish amusement.
II ore would find little girls one Of tn
sweetest things to be sought after, the,
must go far back into the country, so IA
that they can find mothers not yet con
taminated with too great love for fashions
but content to dress themselves ant
daughters neatly, yet with that simplicit,
which so beauties childhood There the,
are not seen at evening parties, allowed Il
indulge in late hours and correspondent
amusf ments such as is depriying many cit.
children OF the pure, sweet life of youn
girlhood. When thus INDUCED they mus
lose half the advantages our city school
offer. Their vanity is aroused and minister
ed unto By dresses too costly and elabC
rat for little girls. Intoxicated by the e1
itement OF gay society, and seeing thei
molhers devoted to such life. they 500
lose all re ish for books or study, and Gel
| l. o.. III. M ~ To- ~,